Part 2: Chapters 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 Summary

Alex and John Sampson go to a bar after the homicide investigation. He tells Sampson about the Sunrise Valley tape but not about the threats or ransom demands, which bothers Alex a lot. They talk about Sampson's married life and how he's really happy for the first time; Sampson tells Alex that he should try it. Finally Alex confides in him about the threat against Washington and the ransom and warns Sampson that he can't tell anyone, including his wife.

Although he feels guilty about telling Sampson, Alex thinks that he didn't have a choice. He feels burned out; his nerves are frayed. Twelve hours toward their deadline have passed and Alex feels as though his head will explode. The last time he felt this way was during the Weasel's last killing spree in Washington.

As Alex enters his...